Supporters are going wild over Max Verstappen's floral-patterned race boots following his victory in Singapore.
Max Verstappen made his way to the Singapore Grand Prix sporting a fresh pair of racing boots and departed with a long-sought victory.
The Verstappen.com Instagram account posted a picture of the boots ahead of the weekend. The design showcases a navy backdrop adorned with a pink floral motif, complemented by the Red Bull and Oracle logos typically found on his gear. The post garnered nearly an impressive 50,000 likes.
Enthusiasts were quick to notice the intricate details. A number of fans speculated whether the flower depicted was a hibiscus, the national flower of Malaysia, instead of an orchid, which is Singapore's national flower. F1 had raced at Sepang the previous weekend, where the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix took place, and Verstappen was victorious there.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
While the design certainly stands out, racing boots serve a practical purpose in a driver's equipment. They are required to comply with FIA safety regulations for fire resistance and are constructed with thin soles to allow drivers to precisely feel the pedals. This means personalization is generally limited to colors and designs, but that hasn't deterred Verstappen. As one fan commented on the post: 'does he ever not have special boots?'
Regardless of their inspiration, they turned out to be fortunate.
Singapore had been one of the few tracks that had eluded Verstappen's grasp. In 2023, he qualified 11th and finished fifth at Marina Bay, as Carlos Sainz clinched victory for Ferrari - the only race Red Bull lost throughout the season. The previous year, he secured second place behind George Russell.
On this occasion, everything fell into place. Verstappen triumphed in a sprint on Saturday that was postponed due to heavy rain and included a crash involving George Russell and a collision between both McLarens. He then achieved his first grand prix pole at Marina Bay and maintained his poise in the sweltering conditions on Sunday with a commanding performance. On Sunday, he led from the beginning to the end, finishing 7.335 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, with Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli taking third.
This victory marked Verstappen's 250th grand prix start as well. It was the 73rd win of his career, his second consecutive victory following Sepang, and Red Bull's first triumph in Singapore since 2022.
"It's taken a while, but I think this race was very good. I mean yeah, we had pace when we needed it on the soft tyre and on the medium, even though I think the medium tyre was a bit of a challenge for everyone, but it worked out, so of course, I’m very happy to win here."
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